Welcome to a town on the outskirts of the cultural center of Gujarat (according to me!)- Baroda! A tranquil place with green grass in a peaceful surrounding known as Waghodia. This place is known as Sumandeep Vidyapeeth. and it houses Dhiraj Hospital. The place is one of many private hospitals, but something unique stands out about Dhiraj. Be it the philosophy, the location, or the campus. A temple (Jain temple) greets you as you enter the premises, and to the left is the hospital. The campus is fairly large, but of course no campus is large as OSU! The campus encompasses Medical institute and Research center, College of Dentistry, College of Nursing, Dhiraj hospital, canteens, library, dormitories, temple, and few shops, and several other schools. It is really impressive far as the services provided. I have taken many snapshots, but my Dongle speed is not fast enough for me to upload pics at this time.
I highly recommend visiting it if ever in the area. Of course you can't really be in the area by chance as it is outside the city, but the path there is very straight forward. Plenty of chagdas (big rikshaws that carry 10-12 passengers), buses, cars, etc. go there. I take chagda-the desi style! Why go in closed doors when I can experience open air (along with the crowd and barely any sitting space-being flexible is a must). Plus, it is only 10 rupees versus private rikshaw that costs a lot. The most people you stuff in a rikshaw, the cheaper it will cost you to travel in India-learn to adjust, and save money, because trust me, the commuting costs do add up!!
Anyway, back to the hospital- first day at the Psych ward: we met the program director, Psychiatrist, and the social worker. We learned more about the NGO, observed a data collection session, and read over the study files and surveys followed by dropping off all the patients to their respective villages, which was a 2.5 hour bus ride in totality! I enjoyed it though, as I really wanted to see the villages. Second day-well not much to do as the meeting with head of the department got rescheduled for tomorrow, so I explored my way into the college of Nursing here. I was very intrigued to learn more about the way Nursing school is in India, and how nursing practice is. I have seen plenty of hospitals, and mostly outpatient clinics, but to see a fairly new hospital and college that incorporates evidence based practice into the curriculum was something different here. I read the boards, and stood outside the principal's office. He signaled me to come in. I introduced myself, and requested if we could talk. I had a good meeting with him, and I hope to learn even more about the college and Nursing in India when I go next time. I am trying to schedule a day where they can show me around, but it all depends on the schedule with the NGO. If we have patients coming in from the villages, or if we are going to the field, then I would not be able to go visit the college of Nursing, or else, if we are just in the Psychiatry OPD, then depending on my work, I can stop by.
Some of my experiences within the hospital-
1. my visit to the Dermatology OPD- one of the first things that caught my attention when I first walked into Dhiraj was the organization of chairs for the patients, visitors, family, staff. I was impressed. The floors were clean and there was even an information desk. I was also very impressed with the signs promoting proper way to cover mouth and nose to prevent viral infection (common cold) etc. There was a board in particular that came across my viewing field-and I viewed it for quite some time. In fact, I noted down all the details. It was for the Department of Dermatology. Laser treatments, etc. were so much cheaper than other places in India, and definitely cheaper than USA prices. I decided to call the number today as I had some spare time. They said to just walk in! I went to the OPD and the clerk say go right in after the next patient. I went in and asked if there was any consultation fee- the answer translated: "this is free of cost, and we give good services" I was really surprised as most places have consultation fees-especially in USA where it can cost fortunes to see specialists. I so the dermatologist for free, and got my skin checked out. I got the prescription-the only thing is, these is no education on the meds here. I had to ask questions such as when do I apply the cream, how much will it cost, etc. Nonetheless, the fact that they provide free to very subsidized services to many of the people from surrounding villages is commendable. On the other hand, some services' costs may still be like a fortune for many people.
2. Now for the points of improvement- there are barely any bathrooms. The bathrooms on campus (public facilities that is) are limited, very limited, and it is hard to find running water, let alone soap, in the sinks. I haven't seen all the wards yet, but the areas I have seen need more hand hygiene. The health care professionals are very professional in their behavior and consultation, and I respect that. They are also very knowledgeable. In fact, some wound conference is being held at the hospital. The hospital has many such excellent attributes.
After serving at NGO run clinic in an urban slum for a month, I get to experience rural villages and a very renowned hospital in the rural area. There is a lot of focus on research here with the NGO. The work that has been done is incredible as I discovered while reading the reports. The files are very thorough, and their phases are very well planned and executed. I will talk more about them later.
Speaking of which, I shall go spend time with the family I am staying with! God bless them to welcome me to stay with them. We are not related by any means-the only relation-that of humanity, and that they bought the house we used to own when we lived in India. ...yet they invited me to stay here, the same plot my house was once on. Such relations can only be found in India- after so many years, old relations get new meanings. New relations become lifelong threads. Being in the old place of the streets I grew up on, walking down the
same roads, and discovering something new every day about my
surroundings and myself. I learned that I can be very flexible and
adjust easily. I face the situation rather than run away from it. I saw
that major change in myself from before. I speak up and assert myself
when needed rather than shy away from it. It is good as life is about
growth, and one must challenge themselves, and push themselves to
adjust, try new things, let go of what life would be in USA, and
experience India the Indian style while in India.
That's it for now- stay flexible, and stay fresh.
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